Tamalpais Area Community Plan Program T6.1a Requires DPW to discourage installation of concrere sidewalks

From: Charlessands
Date: October 9, 2010 11:38:14 AM PDT
To: fmansourian@co.marin.ca.us
Cc: sschneider@co.marin.ca.us, eklock@co.marin.ca.us, sadams@co.marin.ca.us, jarnold@co.marin.ca.us, hbrown@co.marin.ca.us, skinsey@co.marin.ca.us, cmcglashan@co.marin.ca.us, dstratton@co.marin.ca.us
Subject: Tamalpais Area Community Plan Program T6.1a Requires DPW to discourage installation of concrere sidewalks

Bcc: HVCC, Madrone Park Circle, SaveEvergreen and Hearus groups.

To all recipients:

FYI, reference and use:

Your attention is called to the below Tamalpais Area Community Plan (TACP) requirementds::
o T.6.2 "Sidewalks” must be designed to have a minimal impact on the values of the natural environment.
o T6.1a The County will support the retention of the semi-rural character of “Homestead Valley’s Evergreen Avenue” by discouraging the installation of street lights, concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters in residential areas.
o T6.1a "where "sidewalks" are needed for engineering and safety purposes.

To date I have not seen nor am I ware of any DPW or professional traffic or safety consultant studies or surveys that demonstrate that a sidewalk along the south side of Evergreen Ave. is needed for engineering or safety purposes.

Marin Horizon Inc.'s traffic consultant stated in the Marin Horizon School's sponsored Environmental Impact Study that " traffic counts near the school are low".

That " traffic counts near the school are low" has been confirmed by a nine day traffic trip survey made during morning and afternoon times when MHS and HV student walkers use Evergreen Ave. 30 % of the morning and afternoon traffic tripe counted during the period MHS commuter walkers on Evergreen are MHS vehicle. See Attachments.


Tamalpais Area Community Plan (TACP):

Roadway Design and Character. See TACP page IV – 43

Objective T.6

To retain the character of the Planning Area (“Homestead Valley’s Evergreen Avenue”) by assuring that future roadway construction and improvements (“Sidewalks”) will have a low impact n on the natural and residential environment/

Polcies:

T6.1 All roadway “Sidewalks” must be designed to preserve and enhance the semi-rural character of “Homestead Valley’s Evergreen Avenue”.

Programs:

T6.1a All new roadway “Sidewalks”must be designed to have a minimal impact on the values of the natural environment.


T6.1a The County will support the retention of the semi-rural character of “Homestead Valley’s Evergreen Avenue” by discouraging the installation of street lights, concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters in residential areas. Alternative materials to concrete are encouraged for sidewalks, berms, and drainage swales where these improvements are needed for engineering and safety purposes.

Charles D. Sands